With Spring Wide Open (4/1)

Ty and Dan talk with Chip Patterson from CBSSports.com about a range of spring storylines from North Carolina State to Washington State, the reality of being a rival college football podcaster, the career of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and the first and only Scott Stapp impression in the history of the show.

On today’s episode of The Solid Verbal, Ty and Dan welcome rival podcaster Chip Patterson from CBSSports.com to the show to talk about some of the less-beaten spring storylines.

Dan leads off by asking Patterson about the situation at North Caroline State with Dave Doeren and his coaching staff in their first season. Patterson thinks that the Wolfpack’s struggles will show up on offense, while a decent defense could lead them through an easy ACC schedule.

One of the surprise teams of 2012 in Rutgers comes up and Dan asks if Ron Prince is the guy to lead the Scarlet Knights to a productive year on offense after several years of stagnation. Patterson notes that despite competing for a BCS bowl last season, it took some improbable turnovers and special teams play that kept them afloat. He’s not convinced they can do it again in 2013.

Ty brings up Penn State and asks Patterson for his thoughts on the 2013 Nittany Lions. Patterson feels like the defense will take a step back, while Ty is concerned with their depth issues and Bill O’Brien’s flirtation with the NFL.

Moving out west, the quarterback battle at Washington State is a story to watch. Patterson thinks that a year removed from the first-year hype, Mike Leach still has a young team, but it’s better than the disgruntled one he fielded last fall. Boise State’s also on the docket, as Patterson believes they can bounce back from an “ugly” 11-2 season and compete for a BCS bid.

Oklahoma State’s return to a more pure version of the air-raid offense is discussed and Patterson believes they’ve reached a level with the offensive system that the quarterback position is basically a plug-and-play slot.

The football talk closes out with what Georgia needs to show this spring to have fans feeling ok about the squad going into the fall. Patterson highlights Georgia’s brutal schedule with Clemson, South Carolina and LSU all before October.

Before going, Ty and Dan drill Patterson on his knowledge of Star Wars, ‘90s sitcoms, Arrested Development and Creed songs. [/summary]